Bird watching in Uganda
For many years big game has been the main attraction for the tourists in Africa, and it still is. However in recent years there has been a considerable increase in the number of people diversifying and pursuing more specialized safaris, bird watching is one of these.
A potential for bird watching tours in Uganda was identified in the late 19th Century by Sir Frederick Jackson, former Governor of the Ugandan Protectorate, and keen ornithologist, who described Uganda as a “Hidden Eden….and a wonderland for birds”
For its size, approx 240,000 sq km, Uganda boasts more than any other country in Africa of her bird species. The current list has 1017 species and this figure constitutes more than 10% of the world’s species.
Uganda is situated in the overlap zone of the major ecological communities of
West African Guinea/Congo Basin Rain Forest. It also spans the convergence of seven (7) of Africa’s eighteen (18) floristic structure, encompassing more than any other country on the continent. Subsequently over half of Africa’s bird species are found in Uganda, at the eastern most edge of their range. Uganda is thus, the only country in East Africa where these species can be found.
Uganda has a great variety of habitats, including the Afro-Alpine, montane forest, savanna, low land forests, wetlands and dry and semi arid desert: with elevation between 600m – 5000m.
All these habitats support their own unique bird communities.
Situated in the Rift Valley, and largely in the Lake Victoria basin, Uganda lies in the path of the major fly ways of millions of pale artic migrants (northern breeding birds). The Albertine Rift Endemic (ARE) Area, which shares with Congo and Rwanda, holds 28 endemics of which 26 are found in Uganda.
Eco-Specialists Tours will give you a specialized bird’s tours to see Uganda’s rare and endemic birds deep in their habitats.
IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS (IBAs)
The following IBAs were listed because of:
- Globally Threatened Species: Species at risk of extinction world-wide that require urgent attention
- Restricted-range Species: Species only confined to or are endemic in a small area.
- Biome-restricted assemblages: Species confined to a particular vegetation zone or type called Biome e.g. Tropical High Forests, Highland Areas, Savannas and Semi arid areas
- Congregations: Species that gather in big numbers in one area for breeding, roosting, feeding or on migration
BWINDI IMPENETRATABLE NATIONAL PARK
This park offers some of the finest montane forest birding in Africa and is a key destination for any birder visiting Uganda. Amongst the numerous possibilities are no fewer than 23 of Uganda’s 28 Albertine Rift Endemics (AREs), including spectacular, globally threatened species such as African Green Broadbill and Shelley’s Crimsonwing, many known from no other site in East Africa. Other key species include; Yellow eyed Black Flycatcher, Blue-headed Sunbird, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Strange Weaver, Black Bee-eaters.
RUHIZHA AREA
This area is part of the Bwindi impenetrable Forest with spectacular birding surroundings. With different micro-habitats in form of second growth vegetation around landslides and dense herbage along streams which support the following lives; Handsome Francolin, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eaters, Western Green Tinkerbird, White-browed Crombec, African Hill Babbler, Montane Sooty Boubou, Pink-footed Puffback…
MGAHINGA GORILLA NATIONAL PARK
Uganda’s smallest and probably most scenic national park offers avian watchers on the excellent Gorge Trail , which loops half way up Mt. Sabinyo and traverses a variety of montane habitats. Some of the key species that can be seen are; Handsome Francolin, Dusky Turtle Dove, Rwenzori Turaco, Alpine Chat, Kivu Ground Thrush, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher….. Top
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